This winter, I'm going skiing! That’s the message we’ve received loud and clear from France Montagne, the association representing the largest ski areas in France. So determined are they to help you enjoy the fresh, clean air of the mountains this winter, they’ve produced this useful illustration to explain how ski resorts will operate in the COVID-19 age.
Image: France Montagnes
Of course, we already know that there will be no travel restrictions across the European Union this winter, regardless of the COVID-19 situation in each country. This recent update from the European Commission allows you to plan your ski trip with confidence. If you’re visiting us from outside France, you’re required to have a negative COVID-19 test document with you on arrival. If that’s not possible, you’ll be encouraged to quarantine in a location of your choice for seven days.
Closer to our home resorts of Courchevel and Les Gets, resort officials are working tirelessly and extensively to prepare the ski domain for this coming winter season. The health and safety of tourists is the number one priority in both resorts and we’ve prepared an overview of the arrangements in each to guide you.
Courchevel
– Open 5th December 2020 – 23rd April 2021 (Moriond open 12thDecember 2020)
As resort officials in Courchevel explain, “rigorous health and safety procedures have always been part of Courchevel's DNA and we are implementing even stronger preventive measures to protect you so that your time in the resort with family and friends can be fully enjoyed.” (source: courchevel.com).
ON THE SKI LIFTS:
- All ski cabins will be completely disinfected at least once per day.
- Hydro-alcoholic gel will be available for all to use.
- Barrier gestures will be reminded of and reinforced across the ski resort but particularly in the queues for ski lifts.
- Face masks must be worn at all times in waiting areas for those aged 11 years and over.
- Social distancing signage will be in place across the area.
ON RESORT TRANSPORT & BUSSES:
-The wearing of face masks will be mandatory on all resort transport for those aged 11 years and over.
-A distance of 1 metre between passengers should be respected at all times while social distance markings will be in place.
-All busses will be entirely disinfected each day.
AT THE OFFICE DE TOURISME:
-The teams responsible for offering that typical Courchevel warm welcome have been carefully trained in safety measures and procedures.
-Face masks must be worn within all Office de Tourisme buildings by those aged 11 years and over.
-There’ll be designated walkways to manage social distancing between visitors.
-Hydro-alcoholic gel will also be available to all.
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS:
Courchevel has made a strong commitment to maintain an engaging and entertaining calendar of resort events that focus on large open spaces and smaller groups of people. Their events programme will be published in a digital format and can be adapted throughout the season.
IN AQUAMOTION:
- All areas will be open to the public with the exception of the paddling pool.
-Advance booking will be required for some facilities, such as the climbing wall, group activities and the swimming planes.
-Three hour time slots will be allocated to swimmers to allow for disinfection.
In summary, we strongly believe that our guests will experience the very same warm hospitality and first class service that we’ve all come to expect across the resort of Courchevel, while at the same time abiding by the rules of the ‘new normal’.
Les Gets
– Open 12th December 2020 – 11 April 2021
Whilst accepting that the COVID-19 situation is a rapidly changing target, resort management in Les Gets tell us, “we are very much looking forward to seeing you soon at the resort and we are all working together, responsibly and conscientiously, to adapt our infrastructures to make sure you will have total peace of mind during your holiday.” (source: lesgets.com).
ON THE SKI LIFTS:
-Face masks will be mandatory in lift waiting queues, while boarding lifts and while travelling on them too.
-There are no plans to restrict the number of skiers in the ski area at any one time.
-Physical distancing measures will be implemented in queues via floor markings.
-Hydro-alcoholic gel will be provided at key points for all.
- The Les Gets ski area has a number of different access points and base lift stations for you to take advantage of.
AT SKI SCHOOL:
It is expected that ski school operations will continue in a relatively normal way this winter, with some small exceptions:
-Children aged 11 years and over must wear a face mask at the beginning and end of their lessons, as must their ski instructor.
-All surfaces and touch-points in ski school offices will be disinfected regularly.
-Any loaned equipment, such as ski bibs will also be disinfected regularly.
IN RESTAURANTS & BARS:
-In accordance with wider government regulations, all restaurant and bar staff must wear masks and was their hands regularly.
-Hand sanitiser must be available at all entry and exit points.
-Customers aged 11 years and over must wear their face masks at all times, except when seated at tables.
-A distance of one metre must exist between tables.
-Contactless menus and payment processes are encouraged.
ON RESORT TRANSPORT:
-On the free resort shuttles, drivers will be wearing masks at all times and vehicles will be disinfected regularly.
-Passengers aged 11 and over must wear face masks during their journey.
-Face masks are also required on the Petit Train.
Les Gets is a resort known for it’s wide, open pistes, quiet corners and well-managed infrastructure. We’re certain that there’s plenty of enjoyment for all this winter!
Alpine Resorts
Here at Alpine Resorts our management team have been hard at work implementing the most stringent and effective sanitary measures for this coming winter season. As always, our objective is always to keep our valued guests safe, while at the same time being uncompromising in our standards of service.
To begin with, our cancellation policy offers you the greatest level of flexibility when you book your holiday with us. For stays between 1st December 2020 and 30th April 2021, we’ll refund 100% of your holiday cost (minus a booking a cancellation management fee), even up until the day of your arrival, should COVID-19 interfere with your ski holiday. Read more about our special booking terms HERE.
Additionally, in all of our properties, our sanitary measures are now firmly in place. All team members will wear face masks to guarantee the safety of all, whilst hydro-alcoholic gel will be available in all residences and reception spaces. Face masks are also available for our guests to use. We’ve implemented new cleaning and disinfection methods to meet the highest standards on all touch points, including virucidal disinfectant, whilst social distancing principles will also be applied and respected at all times.
Within your accommodation, we will have washed all kitchen crockery, cutlery and glassware at 60 degrees in the dishwasher before your arrival. We’ve replaced our apartment information directory with a digital version, which you’ll access via a QR code. Should you order a room service breakfast during your stay, these will be left immediately outside your apartment door each morning to avoid unnecessary contact. Should you holiday property include a private spa, it will have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between stays. We hope that our guests this winter will join us in respecting these well-established health protocols.
Within our restaurants, we’ve implemented extra measures to ensure that social distancing is maintained. Our menus are accessibly digitally via a QR code and you’ll discover that all of our team wear face masks. You’ll be asked to wash your hands with sanitiser before you enter the restaurant and we’ll collect your contact details to comply with government regulations.
Within our wellness area, you can be assured that we’ve implemented a number of stringent measures throughout all Spa area, including restricting numbers to observe social distancing regulations. You’re required to pre-book your spa visit, which will be limited to 45 minutes per person. Thorough cleaning will take place between each group of visitors.
And finally, in our ski rooms, you’ll find that alongside our excellent service, our team is well equipped to look after you in a safe way. Masks are obligatory for all, hydroalcoholic gel is available and it is necessary to sanitise your hands before you enter the ski room. We’ve carefully prepared a flow of traffic, please excuse our teams for not helping you to put on your ski boots, to avoid close contact and to protect all. All rental equipment will be disinfected between users.
We truly believe that through the combined efforts of resort officials and the stringent work of our own teams in Courchevel and Les Gets, we can provide the safe, enjoyable winter holiday that you deserve.
Discover our apartments and chalets for rent in Courchevel HERE, and in Les Gets HERE. Throughout the pandemic, we have been updating our cancellation conditions and sanitary processes. This will continue and we kindly invite you to contact our reservations team HERE should you have any questions or enquiries. Now more than ever, we would like to thank you for your trust and loyalty. Until your next visit, stay safe and take care of yourself!